Product model based design of precast facades

Abstract: In Finland, approximately 80 % of the facades of buildingsare manufactured as precast units. Currently one of theobstacles to making the overall design and construction ofprecast building facades more efficient is the inefficientexchange of data about facades between architects, structuralengineers and precast element manufacturers. The product modelapproach seems to offer a new methodology for data exchange andsharing which would solve many of the current problems. Thisthesis presents the results of research in which this approachwas tested.The prevailing way of designing facades was chosen as areference process model. Based on an analysis of data needs inthe different stages of the process a product data model of afacade was developed. The product data model was restricted tofacades only and does not include other information about thebuilding. Central data structures in the conceptual schemadefine how a precast concrete facade consists of precastconcrete units, i.e., elements. Structural wall layers that mayhave openings form the elements.The conceptual schema was implemented as a prototype whichwas based on existing software, modified and further developed.The prototype was tested by an architectural design company, astructural design company and a manufacturer. The mainconclusion of testing was that the data produced in thearchitectural design is directly usable in further design. Thestructural or element design may use the architectural data assuch. Also, it is possible to create applications that takeinto account the architect's preferred design approach.KEYWORDS:facade, precast concrete, data exchange,object oriented, architectural design